Procedures to prepare for in case of a fire
If you're a home owner, you probably already worry about the risk of your house catching fire. The material destruction in itself can be enough to cause you a lot of worry, but even worse is the danger a fire might pose on you and your family. If you were to experience a fire in your home, there are a few things you should consider to handle the situation as well as possible. If you have prepared yourself for a course of action in case a fire was to be started in your home, you might be able to save your house from any further damage.
Learn your fire extinguisher
The most important tool in order to be able to handle a fire in your home is your fire extinguishers. Take some time to get to know your fire extinguisher. Preferably, you should get some proper training in how to use it. You need to be able to handle it under tremendous pressure and with no time to think. Make sure you know exactly what materials to use it on. Water extinguishers, for example, can't be used on electrical equipment or cooking fires, as they might even make the fires worse. If you have a powder extinguisher, you should remember to not breathe the powder in, as this could be terribly harmful for your airways.
Get the family out
When getting the training to handle the fire extinguisher, you should make sure another adult member of your family is receiving it. This is in case you're not home if a fire were to start. If a fire breaks out, you need to get all family members that don't know how to use the fire extinguisher to get out of the house as fast as possible. Plan a procedure for if a fire were to break out so that all family members are aware of what they're doing and where they're going. Make sure that one person has the responsibility to call the fire department.
Clear the escape route
You should only attempt to put the fire out if you have a clear path to the nearest exit. If the fire is in an area where you can't get out easily, like a room with a lot of furniture, you shouldn't even try to put the fire out. Just leave it for the fire department. If the fire is started on the second floor, you should take all possible precautions. If it's very small and you get to it quickly, you might be able to put it out without danger, but as the fire can get under the floor and destabilise the whole structure, you better leave it and wait for the professionals.